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Lofty sales aspirations for the hybrid version of the Subaru Forester haven't yet come to pass, but the brand is confident it is doing enough to avoid emissions fines.
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Subaru is “confident” it is doing enough to avoid hefty NVES-related emissions fines, despite hybrid Forester sales not being as high as initially expected, to date.
However, speaking with Drive at the launch of the new seventh-generation Outback, Subaru Australia’s General Manager, Scott Lawrence, said the numbers were lower at “more like 50/50”.
“Forester was the number-one selling car (for Subaru last year). [But] I think what surprised me is how much demand there still is for internal combustion engine (ICE) cars,” he told us.
“For 2025, Forester ICE and Hybrid were about 50/50. That is reflective of consumer demand. As we come into 2026, I do see the demand for hybrid continuing to grow.”
Federal regulators are preparing to reveal which car companies met their mandatory emissions targets – and which didn't – this month, after the first phase of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) ended on 31 December.
However, manufacturers won’t be billed until February 2027, and won't be liable to pay until 2028.
At present, Subaru’s electrified models include the Forester Hybrid and the fully-electric Solterra, but the BRZ, Crosstrek, Impreza, Outback, and WRX are still petrol-only.
The Trailseeker, effectively an electric Outback wagon-style SUV, is due to arrive mid-year, but according to Lawrence, a hybrid Outback isn’t on the cards yet.
“We’re working with Subaru Corporation [in Japan] on what that might look like. Our focus has been on bringing Outback Wilderness to market. Hybrid isn’t off the table,” he told Drive.
“The plan was [to bring] Forester Hybrid, Outback NA (naturally-aspirated) and Wilderness. We will then see the feedback, the opportunity in the market, and we’ll adjust the range from there.”
Asked whether Subaru’s actions are sufficient to avoid fines under NVES, given that both the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and the 2.4-litre turbo used in the Outback range are now less fuel-efficient than before, Lawrence said he was confident they are.
“Our approach, and it's been publicised by Subaru Corporation, is for multiple powertrains. There's space for ICE, space for hybrid, space for EVs,” he said.
“For Outback, we see both the NA and the turbo having a really important part to play. ICE still makes up a significant portion of consumer buying in Australia.
“Right here, right now, we're confident in our portfolio.”
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A born-and-bred newshound, Kathryn has worked her way up through the ranks reporting for, and later editing, two renowned UK regional newspapers and websites, before moving on to join the digital newsdesk of one of the world’s most popular newspapers – The Sun. More recently, she’s done a short stint in PR in the not-for-profit sector, and led the news team at Wheels Media.
